Thinset Removal Between Grout Lines

About Thinset

• Thinset is the common name for adhesive used to adhere tiles to walls, floors and other surfaces. Different thinsets are made of various chemical components, but no matter what the brand, all thinsets contain some combination of sand and cement. Thinset can be purchased pre-mixed, in which case it also contains water, or in dry form, where the user mixes the water with the dry compound before application.

Grouting Tile

• Tile grout is composed of much of the same materials as thinset, but also comes in a number of different grits. Large grit grouts are more appropriate when applying between larger tiles, and fine grouts are used for smaller tile jobs. As with thinset, grout also comes in dry and wet mixes. The grout is pressed in the spaces between tiles with a special tool called a grout float. The excess grout is then wiped up with a wet sponge and gradually brushed down until is at the same level or slightly below as the surrounding tiles.

Wetting the Thinset

• The less time that the thinset has had to sit, the easier it will be to remove. If the thinset is still wet, scrape it up from between the tiles with a wooden shim, trimmed to fit between the tiles. Using a wooden tool, rather than a metal one, will help keep the tiles from becoming scratched while you're working. Pour water on the thinset and let this soak in for a few hours to see if that will help soften the cement.

Sawing the Grout

• If the thinset is too dry to remove with a shim, you'll have to saw out the excess mortar. Place painters tape over the surrounding tiles so that they don't become damaged while you're working. Use a grout saw to sand down as much of the thinset as possible. Use a shop vacuum to clean up as you work. If you have a rotary drilling tool, attach a mortar blade to the end and use that to carefully sand down the thinset between the tiles.